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Domestic News
August 3, 1812
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Commentary expressing regret over British burning of captured American vessels as enemy prizes during war, contrasting with French burnings of neutrals; explains it follows century-old naval orders to burn, sink, and destroy, and notes the first prize was burnt.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
British Burning of Prizes.
This practice excites regret among some of the good people who have been heretofore so much shocked at the unlawful burnings by French cruizers— The difference in the cases is very obvious to every one;—as the French burnt our vessels as innocent neutrals, while the English burn them as enemies' property. Perhaps it is not generally known that the orders given for a century past to commanders of vessels of war, direct them to "burn, sink and destroy"—and however unpleasant it is to our feelings, we have, By DECLARING WAR, made it the duty of every English officer who commands a ship on the ocean, to burn, sink, and destroy ALL our vessels which he can meet with; and this will be done in all cases where the property is not of value sufficient to send in—It must be recollected that the first prize taken by our fleet was burnt—Whether these British burnings are in retaliation of the American burning, is out of the question.
This practice excites regret among some of the good people who have been heretofore so much shocked at the unlawful burnings by French cruizers— The difference in the cases is very obvious to every one;—as the French burnt our vessels as innocent neutrals, while the English burn them as enemies' property. Perhaps it is not generally known that the orders given for a century past to commanders of vessels of war, direct them to "burn, sink and destroy"—and however unpleasant it is to our feelings, we have, By DECLARING WAR, made it the duty of every English officer who commands a ship on the ocean, to burn, sink, and destroy ALL our vessels which he can meet with; and this will be done in all cases where the property is not of value sufficient to send in—It must be recollected that the first prize taken by our fleet was burnt—Whether these British burnings are in retaliation of the American burning, is out of the question.
What sub-type of article is it?
Military
Shipping
What keywords are associated?
British Burning
Prizes
Naval Orders
French Cruisers
Declaration Of War
Domestic News Details
Outcome
vessels burnt if not valuable enough to send in; first prize taken by fleet was burnt.
Event Details
British practice of burning prizes excites regret; contrasts with French burning of neutral vessels; follows orders to burn, sink, and destroy enemy property; duty of English officers due to declaration of war.